DANIEL REICHARD

Monday, August 4 at 7pm

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce Broadway and concert star Daniel Reichard will be appearing at Birdland on Monday, August 4th at 7 PM. Reichard, who has performed dozens of sold-out engagements all over New York City throughout the years, will be making his solo debut at Birdland with this show.

The evening of music will feature treasured hits by classic songwriters written in decades spanning over 80 years. Reichard writes, “I want this evening to be a celebration of many different eras of music. My heart has always had a deep passion for the Great American Songbook. I think the songs of the 30s and 40s and 50s are still so stylish and resonant. Songs from the Golden Age of Broadway will be the jumping-off point for this show. We will move on to the incredible music of the 60s and will work our way up to the music played by artists today. This is a show for multiple generations and everyone will hopefully get something out of hearing these brilliant songs played in the same program. Also, I may wear shorts and show off my legs.”

The evening of treasured songs will feature songs by iconic songwriters such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Johnny Mercer, Burt Bacharach, Paul Simon, and Jason Mraz. Reichard will be joined onstage by a band of five musicians.

Daniel Reichard, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is best known for his portrayal of chief songwriter and original Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio in the box-office smash Jersey Boys, a role he originated both on Broadway and in the La Jolla Playhouse premiere. He followed Jersey Boys with a critically acclaimed performance as Candide in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide at the New York City Opera. Daniel made his New York City debut after graduating with a BFA from the University of Michigan with the original cast in the world-famous Forbidden Broadway: 20th Anniversary Celebration. His signature style and enormous talent paved the way to starring roles in New York City and beyond, including his triumphant portrayal of artist and social activist Keith Haring in Radiant Baby at Joe Papp’s Public Theater; Man in The Thing About Men, whose cast album he also appears on; and Emmet in the world premiere of the musical version of Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas at the Goodspeed Opera House. Regional credits include The MUNY, Weston Playhouse, North Shore Music Theater, and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. As a concert singer, Daniel has had sold-out engagements at New York City’s Joe’s Pub, Metropolitan Room and Ars Nova. Other concert appearances include Symphony Space, The Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, BB Kings, Town Hall, Firebird and the Cutting Room, as well as appearances with the Arkansas and Grand Rapids Symphonies. He can be seen as Frankie in the 2009 film version of the international hit musical comedy “Forever Plaid.” Currently, he is touring the continent with his former Jersey Boys colleagues as The Midtown Men, a highly successful vocal group that has performed over 300 major concerts together.

Daniel Reichard

Monday, August 4 at 7pm

$35 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch

Monday, August 11 at 7pm

For the first time in their eleven-year association with Birdland, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch will storm the historic stage with an evening of swinging standards, special guests and wry conversation. The two performers, who have performed extensively on their own, gained national exposure together as the host and musical director of the wildly popular open mic, Cast Party, which celebrates talent every Monday at Birdland, tours nationally, and was part of this season’s Lincoln Center American Songbook. For the past two years, they have been headlining at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel, where they are constantly in the news when showbiz heavy-hitters like Liza Minnelli, Bono and Michael Feinstein join them in impromptu performances.

“Music this polished and sophisticated could only happen in the Apple. Billy and Jim make up the happiest little show in town.”

Rex Reed, NY Observer

“Show business heaven.”

Stephen Holden, NY Times

Jim Caruso recently made his Broadway debut alongside Liza Minnelli in the Tony Award-winning smash hit Liza’s At The Palace!, singing, dancing and celebrating the music and arrangements of the late, great Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers. For his nightclub work, Caruso has won six MAC, two Nightlife and two BackStage Bistro Awards for his sold-out New York shows at Birdland, the Algonquin Hotel, and Arci’s Place; and has also performed in clubs in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Palm Beach Hotel and London. He sang with the New York Pops in an all-star tribute to Kander & Ebb at Carnegie Hall, and returned to “The Hall” in a tribute to Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, hosted by Michael Feinstein. Jim and his vocal trio, Wiseguys, were invited to sing at President Clinton’s Inaugural and First State Dinner at the White House, and celebrated Bing Crosby in concert at Carnegie Hall with Rosemary Clooney. For the past nine years, he has hosted a Monday night Manhattan showbiz bash at Birdland called “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party,” which has also celebrated talent in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, Orlando, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and on the high seas with the “Dave Koz & Friends” jazz cruise. His cd, “The Swing Set,” was released in 2011.

Billy Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scene. His most recent nightclub act “Billy Stritch Sings the Mel Tormé Songbook” earned rave reviews from the New York critics. Stritch has appeared in cabaret venues across the nation as well as concert performances at the London Palladium, NHK Hall in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro’s Municipale Auditorium. In New York, he has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and was onstage in the 2001 Broadway revival of 42nd Street, which starred Christine Ebersole. Their friendship laid the groundwork for a musical collaboration resulting in the CD, “In Your Dreams,” available on Ghostlight Records. Billy is also a songwriter and arranger, and his composition “Does He Love You” was recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. The single reached the number one spot on the Billboard Country chart, winning a Grammy Award and selling over five million copies along the way. He has arranged for many top performers and is a frequent collaborator with Liza Minnelli, having written the arrangements for Minnelli On Minnelli at the Palace Theater, Liza’s Christmas at Town Hall, and was musical supervisor and pianist for the Tony Award-winning, Liza’s At The Palace. Billy has played and sung on numerous television shows including “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “Oprah,” “The CBS Morning Show,” “The Today Show” and “Inside The Actor’s Studio”. He has three CDs to his credit and his latest “Jazz Live,” was released on Fynsworth Alley Records. He is the winner of the Nashville Music City News Award, a BMI Song of the Year Award, and four awards from the Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets.

Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch

Monday, August 11 at 7pm

Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC

www.BirdlandJazz.com

$30/40 cover charge, $10 food/drink minimum

RHONDA ROSS

Monday, August 18 at 7pm

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that after captivating audiences at Madison Square Garden and The Montreal Jazz Festival, singer-songwriter Rhonda Ross, along with her slamming jazz band (Terry Burrus on piano, Dominick Maybank on bass, Kevin Harrington on drums, Terelle Tipton, Keesha Gumbs, & Sheniqua Trotman on background vocals, Duane Eubanks on trumpet, and Darrly Yokely on sax) will appear on the historic stage on Monday, August 18 at 7pm.

Neo-Soul Jazz Stylist, Rhonda Ross’s uplifting and resonant voice immediately strikes a chord with music lovers. And her unique phrasing and authenticity to her art sets her apart from other vocalists. As the only child of Diana Ross and Motown Founder Berry Gordy, it has become evident that Rhonda not only has the talent, but the significance to carry on her parents’ legacy, all the while establishing her own unique musical destination. Rhonda’s music is based in Black-American traditional jazz. In 1994, she met, married, and began a 20-year musical collaboration with jazz pianist and composer Rodney Kendrick. Through him, Rhonda started to study with the late jazz great Abbey Lincoln. “It was Abbey and Rodney who convinced me to begin my journey as a singer-songwriter.” Rhonda says, “I primarily consider myself a story-teller and poet. I use my music to inspire and to uplift…to teach people — including myself.” Their live CD, “Rhonda Ross Live: Featuring Rodney Kendrick” is a hot internet-seller.

Now a mother to a preschool-age son, Rhonda’s music has taken on the more mature stance of a woman “with the understanding and wisdom of a 40 year old, but the passion and dream-seeking of a 20 year old!” Her story-telling jazz has expanded to include the grooving sounds of Neo-soul and Gospel. New songs are emerging, like “Nobody’s Business,” a groovy, bass-led reminder that “your joy comes from the inside and that it’s nobody else’s job to make you happy.” “Summer Day” is an upbeat realization that even after the harshest winter, the sun will re-emerge and “the buds of hope can still bloom.” Through Rhonda’s individual and creative expression, the legendary Ross sound continues to live on and expand. Last year, she headlined President Obama’s 2nd Inaugural Ball, and later performed to rave reviews at The Hollywood Bowl. This year has included performances at The Montreal International Jazz Festival, Wolf Trap, and The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Rhonda Ross

Monday, August 18 at 7pm

Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC

$30/40 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

www.BirdlandJazz.com

“Nurse Jackie” Star Stephen Wallem in A Burly Night Music

Monday, August 25 at 7pm

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is pleased to announce that “Nurse Jackie” star Stephen Wallem will bring his brand new concert to the iconic music room on Monday, August 25 at 7pm

The concert, with direction by Tony-nominee John Tartaglia and musical direction by Beckie Menzie, is a musical and anecdotal retrospective of a very high voice trapped in a very large body. Featuring songs from Wallem’s big and/or “simple” guy roles including Shrek in Shrek the Musical, Hazel in Pipe Dreams, and Horton the Elephant in Seussical, as well as songs from Hairspray, Elf, Anna Nicole the Opera, The Land Before Time and The Addams Family, all celebrating the big-boned beauty of Broadway and Hollywood. Directed by Tony-nominee John Tartaglia, with original songs, a three-piece band and surprise celebrity guest appearances.

Stephen Wallem is a SAG Award-nominated actor best known as Thor Lundgren on the Emmy-winning Showtime series “Nurse Jackie”, now airing its sixth season. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, he worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago before moving to New York to make his television debut on “Nurse Jackie.” He was recently seen as Horton the Elephant in Seussical at The Muny in St.Louis, and last summer made his professional opera debut in New York City Opera’s Anna Nicole following his appearance as Shrek in Shrek the Musical at The Muny. Stephen continues to appear in cabaret and theater in Manhattan including Schwartz and All at Birdland, Off the Wallem at Don’t Tell Mama, the Sondheim, Unplugged series at 54 Below and playing Hazel in the Encores! production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Pipe Dream at New York City Center. He also teamed with Edie Falco for a sold-out run of the original cabaret The Other Steve and Edie at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. National tours include Forever Plaid, Into the Woods, and Scrooge starring Richard Chamberlin. Stephen has accrued nearly 2500 performances as both Jinx and Sparky in various companies of Forever Plaid including Chicago (Royal George Cabaret), Las Vegas, (Flamingo Hilton and Gold Coast Hotel), Denver Center for Performing Arts, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and the first national tour. He portrayed Judas/Padre in Court Theatre’s acclaimed production of Man of La Mancha (Joseph Jefferson Award, After Dark Award) and reprised his performance at Long Wharf Theatre. He became a staple at the Ravinia Festival, appearing with Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald and Michael Cerveris in A Little Night Music, Passion, and Sunday in the Park with George. This October he will be named Chicago Cabaret Professionals 2014 National Honoree for Excellence in Cabaret.

Stephen Wallem in A Burly Night Music

Monday, August 25 at 7pm

www.BirdlandJazz.com

$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person